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If you have a 2004 with the sport package sell it and buy a 2005 without the sport package. BMW softened the suspension.

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The models and equipment (standard and optional) illustrated in this post reflect my misunderstanding of vehicles supplied by BMW AG to the German market. In other EU member states, the truthyness of my posts may vary. Please ignore this post. Subject to change.

I currently have a 2004 X3 with 49,000 miles. I bought it about a year ago and honestly it is one of the roughest rides I have had. Any suggestions on what can be done to improve the ride.....

Do you have sport? If so, making the ride softer may not be a reasonable option. If you do not then you could lower the pressures just a bit.

Truth is the X3 even my 07 is a little bouncy and rigid but only on certain bombed out urban streets. Overall, I am happy with the ride but would ask for a tweak more compliance for the 2010 then perfect.

Otherwise if it gets so bad you cannot put up with it then selling or weigh the cost of new shocks may be the only real options. I have heard though that it is the springs that are more the issue. Swapping springs is a bigger deal unless you plan to keep the car
for another 10 years to make it worthwhile.

Have the tires been replaced? If you don't have the sport option you should have 17" wheels.
We replaced the OEM Bridgestones (1/3 tread left, couldn't stand them anymore) with some Yokohama's from Discount Tire. The ride is now pretty close to the 08 loaner we had a few weeks ago. Couldn't be happier!

Judy's suggestion might be the best way since you have so many miles on the car now. My '06 still rides like an unsprung farm truck over potholed and nasty streets. My wife hates the ride and can't wait until the X3 is traded or sold. I have come to terms with it and just grit my teeth when going over the nasty bits until the road smooths out and the crisp handling comes back. I now keep my tire pressure a couple of pounds low and that does seem to help a bit. I have a non sport with the factory 18" option. I have driven X3's with the
17" stock wheels/OEM tires and don't feel any real difference.

I have always found that just replacing worn tires with new ones makes a world of difference; guess the extra rubber cushions the ride to some degree. I have an 04 with sport option 2 which I would guess is the roughest ride of them all. I am using ContiTouring tires which I like a lot. The streets I drive on are pretty good so that helps. But, over all, I am so grateful for the outstanding handling qualities of this SAV that I just don't much care that the ride is bit rough. (I might not be saying this if I lived in an area with bad roads and had to drive a lot of miles). I would just say that anyone thinking of buying an X3 should take it for a long test drive (also, let your wife drive it).